STATE SEMIFINALS PREVIEW: Mansfield Lake Ridge has what it takes to go up against Deer Park
After a tough season last year, the Mansfield Lake Ridge Lady Eagles put in the work this season to make it one of their best seasons yet. With a 31-6 overall record and a 15 game win-streak, the Lady Eagles are gearing up to take on nation's No. 5 Deer Park (40-4) in the UIL Class 6A State Semifinal on Friday. VYPE DFW takes a look at their season so far and lays out just what fans can expect from this squad.
To continue reading this State Semifinal preview, become a VYPE Insider today!
A Look Back
With a strong regular season schedule, the Lake Ridge Lady Eagles did everything in their power in order to focus at the plate, get on base, and defend against some of the toughest opponents in the metroplex. Finishing the regular season with a 13-2 district record and a first-place finish in their district- including a 15-0 victory over Duncanville, the Lady Eagles have continued to show what Lake Ridge softball is truly made of throughout playoffs.
So far in playoffs, the team has ended the seasons of Bryan (15-1, 5-2), Tyler Legacy (6-3), Killeen Harker Heights (8-3, 5-2), Cypress Ranch (11-0, 5-0), and The Woodlands (12-2, 4-3). Lake Ridge has stepped up to the challenge of proving that they have what it takes to compete against the best-of-the-best in their first-ever state tournament appearance.
What To Expect
Lake Ridge's defense has allowed only three runs in the last 10 games while the offense has had timely hitting. Led by Oklahoma State pledge Tia Warsop, Paris Johnson, and Kassidy Chance, the offense has been able to secure big scores against even the toughest opponents. Warsop is hitting .700 with 16 runs and 16 stolen bases in playoffs while Johnson has tallied 15 runs and 11 stolen bases and Chance has recorded 11 runs and 14 runs batted in.
Deer Park is going to be a tough team to go up against, but the depth in the lineup on the Lady Eagles' squad can certainly get it done. Expect to see a tough team battle in order to make it to the state title game.
